Enpass Password Manager Review

I can’t explain the sheer panic that overtakes me whenever my computer isn’t coughing up my passwords. Between my email, my social media accounts, and all the other stuff that makes me create a password on the spot, there’s no way I can remember it all. And that’s okay, because that’s what password managers are for!

Today I’m taking a look at Enpass, a password manager originally created by Sinew Software Systems to use internally. After they realized the market potential of this nifty password manager, they released Enpass to the world in 2011. Now, over a million people use Enpass all over the world, and that number is about to be a million and one…maybe. In this review, I’ll go over Enpass’ pros and cons, features, and my experience actually using it. I’ll also be talking subscription options, customer support, and to top it all off, the Enpass app. We have a LOT to go over, so let’s get started.

Pros and Cons of Enpass

Enpass Main Screen

Before I bog you down with too much information, let me tell you about my favorite and least favorite things about Enpass.

Pros

Privacy jurisdiction: As Enpass is based in India, they’ll never be forced to hand over customer data.

Dark web scan: Enpass will make sure that none of your credentials are floating around the dark web, and if they are, you’ll be notified immediately.

Multi-factor authentication: Use biometrics to make your accounts even more secure than before.

Cons

No security breach alerts: Instead, you’ll have to manually check Have I Been Pwned to view any security breaches.

No plans for families or businesses: Enpass only offers free and paid plans for individuals on either mobile or desktop.

If you’re excited about the pros and okay with the cons, then keep on reading.

Enpass Company Background

Enpass is based in Gurugram, India, and that’s a good thing. Why? Because India isn’t part of any international surveillance alliances like Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or 14 Eyes. That means that Enpass won’t be forced to legally hand over customer data. This is important if you’re storing passwords to sensitive accounts or are keeping financial information in your vault, among other data.

Now that I know that India is a great place for a password manager company’s headquarters, I want to find out about the company’s data-logging policy. Enpass, under Sinew Software Systems, keeps track of when you request support, information or materials, participate in promotions, contests or giveaways, and submit questions or comments. They’ll also keep your name and email address to uphold your subscription, but they won’t know your master password or any of the information kept in your vault. If you’re looking for privacy, Enpass passes the test.

Features of Enpass

Enpass Features

The main purpose of Enpass is to store your passwords and auto-fill forms, so you never have to misspell your own last name again. To begin, you’ll enter in all of your usernames and passwords manually. Unfortunately, Enpass doesn’t let you import passwords directlybrowsers, unlike most of its competitors. Instead, you’ll have to import them from a CSV file, which isn’t too complicated. Once all of your passwords are in, Enpass will give you a password strength report through Zxcvbn to let you know which ones are old, weak, or repeated.

Zxcvn Password Strength Meter

You’ll change them individually either making up new passwords or using Enpass’ password generator for more security. You’ll need to change your passwords one at a time, so it might be a bit tedious.

Now let’s talk security, because now that your passwords are all updated, I know you don’t want them getting out. All of the passwords will be in your encrypted vault, protected by AES-256, the industry standard, along with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512 ON sqlCIPHER to prevent password cracking. For additional security, you can set up two-factor or multi-factor authentication using fingerprint, eye, or face recognition. That makes sure that the right person is accessing your account, in case someone finds out your master password. You can also share your password with multiple users with a pre-shared key, the most secure option.

Master Password

Unfortunately, if you forget your master password, your account will be locked forever, as Enpass doesn’t offer an emergency contact. You’ll need to make a completely new account and pay the one-time fee again, which is a bit annoying.

Storage

You’ll use your own cloud storage to store your passwords, along with local storage. Choose from cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox WebDAV, OneDrive, and Google Drive.

Extras

Aside from those basic features that make up a password manager, Enpass offers a couple extras that I think are really useful.

Dark Web Scan

Do you know what the dark web is? It makes up about six percent of the Internet, although it won’t come up in your Google searches. Rather, it’s only accessible through a special software, and once you find it, all users are anonymous. That’s why it’s such a hotbed of cybercrime, with billions of stolen passwords floating around every single day. Fortunately, you can check to see if your credentials are on the dark web through Have I Been Pwned. Phew!

Inbox Scan

Have you ever emailed someone your username and password? That wasn’t the smartest idea, but it’s okay because Enpass will scan your inbox for your credentials. Aw shucks, they’ve really thought of everything!

Is Enpass Easy to Use?

Enpass Dashboard

You’ll need to download Enpass from the app store, not Enpass’ website, which was a bit annoying. Once I downloaded the app, I created a master password— that’s it. I didn’t have to enter in my name, email, or any other information, confirming that Enpass is a top pick if you’re looking for privacy. From there, I was prompted to download my browser extension and get started with sample items. Once I downloaded the browser extension, all I had to do was import my passwords, but unfortunately, Enpass doesn’t let you import from browsers. Instead, I had to export my Chrome passwords in a CSV file and then upload them into the app. This only took a second and was pretty straightforward. Plus, the Enpass app itself is easy and clean to use. All in all, I’m pleased with my user experience with Enpass.

Enpass Pricing

Enpass’ pricing works pretty differently than its competitors. Let’s take a closer look.

Mobile Options

Enpass Subscription Options- Mobile

If you want to use Enpass on a mobile device, you can choose from a free or a Premium plan for $11.99. Now, that’s a one-time fee, which is pretty unusual because most password managers offer monthly or annual subscriptions. So for only $11.99, you can store unlimited items in multiple devices on your iPhone or Android. As most password managers cost a few dollars per month, this is an incredibly reasonable price for lifetime access.

Desktop Options

Enpass Desktop Pricing

Like mobile, a lifetime of Enpass on Desktop will only cost $11.99. You’ll also be able to use multi-factor authentication, switch your theme on Windows, and create templates and categories to organize your data.

One thing that Enpass is missing are plans for families and businesses. Typically, when you buy accounts for multiple users at once, there’s a discount, but since Enpass offers a one-time fee, this no longer seems necessary. Overall, I’m really happy with how affordable Enpass is, so that’s a huge plus.

Enpass Customer Support

Enpass Customer Support. Screenshot from Enpass website.

The first place you should look if you need help with Enpass is their online support center, composed of FAQs, community forums, and user guides. If you want to speak to a human, you can either call them from 11 AM until six PM, IST, email, or fill out an online form. While they don’t have live chat, I’m impressed that they have a phone line, as this is a rarity for most password managers. Unfortunately if you’re in the U.S, their phone line is only available from about one AM until eight AM EST, so it’s going to be a bit difficult for you to reach them over the phone.

While Enpass isn’t on Amazon or Trustpilot, they have a three-star rating on Google. Unfortunately, there are only six reviews, and the only two with written commentary are about interviewing to work at Enpass. None of the reviews said anything about customer support, so I’ll have to go based on my personal experience.

I emailed Enpass with a few questions on March 13, 2019. Currently, it’s March 28th, and I have yet to hear back. I don’t like to judge a company based on one experience, but alas, it’s all I have to go on. Let’s just say Enpass isn’t known for their customer support.

The Enpass App

The Enpass App

You can use the Enpass app on MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android. Keep in mind that Enpass also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi. The app has amazing ratings, a 4.6 from both the Apple store and the Google Play store.

“After having used several password keepers in the past, I chose Enpass for its great support and cross platform availability (but you do need to buy a new version each time – that’s not so great). It’s easy to use, generates passwords to cut and paste into your login pages, and has a notes section to help keep track of other data,”

wrote Android-user Peter Walsh in a five-star review.

Enpass vs. 1Password

Enpass vs. 1Password Features

Now that you’re a certified Enpass expert, we can see how it stacks up to its competition. 1Password is another password manager based in Toronto, Canada. Canada is a Five Eyes member and 1Password keeps way more of your data than Enpass, so if privacy is a priority, Enpass is the clear choice. Plus, Enpass has an inbox scan to check for your credentials in your emails, which 1Password lacks.

Privacy and inbox scan aside, 1Password does have some distinct advantages over Enpass. First of all, they have security breach alerts so you’ll know if any of your passwords have been stolen, while Enpass has you check for breaches manually through Have I Been Pwned. Next, 1Password lets you make an emergency contact, so if you forget your master password you can restore access, unlike Enpass. Finally, 1Password has travel mode which allows users to lock devices while traveling.

While 1Password has monthly and annual subscription options ranging from $2.99 to $7.99 a month, Enpass features a one-time fee of $11.99 for desktop and mobile, so over the long-term, it will be much cheaper. If you’re looking for privacy and affordability, I’d choose Enpass, but if you want security breach alerts, an emergency contact, or travel mode, then 1Password makes a lot more sense.

Recap of Enpass

Overall, I really like Enpass, but it definitely is better for some people more than others. Let me explain.

Choose Enpass if you’d like…

Affordability: With a one-time fee of $11.99, Enpass will be much cheaper in the longterm compared to its competitors.

Privacy: Enpass has a strict data-logging policy and is based in India, a non-member to Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes.

Dark web scan: Make sure your credentials aren’t on the dark web through Have I Been Pwned.

But avoid if you don’t want…

No security breach alerts: Instead, you’ll have to manually check Have I Been Pwned for compromised passwords.

No emergency contact: You won’t be able to access your account if you forget your master password.

Hard to reach customer support: Enpass’ support is hard to get ahold of, especially if you’re in the Western hemisphere.

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Gabe Turner is an attorney and journalist with a passion for home tech and secure, efficient living. Since graduating from NYU Law, he has maintained a paradoxical existence of trying to live life adventurously while remaining staunchly risk-averse. He is torn by the dual desires of wanting to only be in Brooklyn writing about housing policy and smart home tech and aspiring to visit his friends scattered across the globe. Gabe believes that stable, safe communities are the cornerstone to a vibrant and healthy society, and it is this passion that brought him to contribute to Security Baron.